Ah yes, I received that line myself. However, encyclopedias are used to acquaint yourself with an unfamiliar topic. They are a place to BEGIN research. They aren't to be cited, but they are written by experts and provide a purchase into the basic facts and problems of the entry. All research begins with a first step and an authoritative encyclopedia is a fine first step. I tell my students to begin with an encyclopedia, but I tell them it is an unacceptable citation.

I bet anyone under the age of 30 doesn't know what a Encyclopedia Britannica book is.........They never ever saw a dial telephone either. If I had time I could list 50 other things they never saw either. Times are changing! I even thought they quit printing encyclopedias myself when the salesmen quit comming to my door to sell them.

Used to copy from them in grade school---change a few words here and there and it was good for an A.

The thing about the printed encyclopedias and dictionaries is that I get interested in other things I see and hours later I haven't gotten to my intended destination. Google keeps you on track, but I still can't always find answers.

My father also knew the answer to everything. I finally figured out that if he didn't know, he just made something up.